Book of 2 Peter

Summary of the Book of 2 Peter

This summary of the book of 2 Peter provides information about the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme,
theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Book of 2 Peter.

Author

The author identifies himself as Simon Peter (1:1). He uses the first person
singular pronoun in a highly personal passage (1:12-15) and claims to be an
eyewitness of the transfiguration (1:16-18 [see note on 1:16]; cf. Mt 17:1-5).
He asserts that this is his second letter to the readers (3:1) and refers to
Paul as "our dear brother" (3:15; see note there). In short, the letter claims
to be Peter's, and its character is compatible with that claim.

Although 2 Peter was not as widely known and recognized in the early church
as 1 Peter, some may have used and accepted it as authoritative as early as
the second century and perhaps even in the latter part of the first century
(1 Clement [a.d. 95] may allude to it). It was not ascribed to Peter until
Origen's time (185-253), and he seems to reflect some doubt concerning it.
Eusebius (265-340) placed it among the questioned books, though he admits that
most accept it as from Peter. After Eusebius's time, it seems to have been
quite generally accepted as canonical.

In recent centuries, however, its genuineness has been challenged by a considerable
number of interpreters. One of the objections that has been raised is the difference
in style from that of 1 Peter. But the difference is not absolute; there are
noteworthy similarities in vocabulary and in other matters. In fact, no other
known writing is as much like 1 Peter as 2 Peter. The differences that do exist
may be accounted for by variations in subject matter, in the form and purpose
of the letters, in the time and circumstances of writing, in sources used or
models followed, and in scribes who may have been employed. Perhaps most significant
is the statement in 1Pe 5:12 that Silas assisted in the writing of 1 Peter.
No such statement is made concerning 2 Peter, which may explain its noticeable
difference in style (see Introduction to 1 Peter: Author and Date).

Other objections arise from a secular reconstruction of early Christian history
or misunderstandings or misconstructions of the available data. For example,
some argue that the reference to Paul's letters in 3:15-16 indicates an advanced
date for this book -- beyond Peter's lifetime. But it is quite possible that Paul's
letters were gathered at an early date, since some of them had been in existence
and perhaps in circulation for more than ten years (Thessalonians by as much
as 15 years) prior to Peter's death. Besides, what Peter says may only indicate
that he was acquainted with some of Paul's letters (communication in the Roman
world and in the early church was good), not that there was a formal, ecclesiastical
collection of them.

Date

2 Peter was written toward the end of Peter's life (cf. 1:12-15), after he
had written a prior letter (3:1) to the same readers (probably 1 Peter). Since
Peter was martyred during the reign of Nero, his death must have occurred prior
to a.d. 68; so it is very likely that he wrote 2 Peter between 65 and 68.

Some have argued that this date is too early for the writing of 2 Peter,
but nothing in the book requires a later date. The error combated is comparable
to the kind of heresy present in the first century. To insist that the second
chapter was directed against second-century Gnosticism is to assume more than
the contents of the chapter warrant. While the heretics referred to in 2 Peter
may well have been among the forerunners of second-century Gnostics, nothing
is said of them that would not fit into the later years of Peter's life.

Some have suggested a later date because they interpret the reference to
the fathers in 3:4 to mean an earlier Christian generation. However, the word
is most naturally interpreted as the OT patriarchs (cf. Jn 6:31, "forefathers";
Ac 3:13; Heb 1:1). Similarly, reference to Paul and his letters (3:15-16; see Author) does not require a date beyond Peter's lifetime.

2 Peter and Jude

There are conspicuous similarities between 2 Peter and Jude (compare 2Pe
2 with Jude 4-18), but there are also significant differences. It has been
suggested that one borrowed from the other or that they both drew on a common
source. If there is borrowing, it is not a slavish borrowing but one that adapts
to suit the writer's purpose. While many have insisted that Jude used Peter,
it is more reasonable to assume that the longer letter (Peter) incorporated
much of the shorter (Jude). Such borrowing is fairly common in ancient writings.
For example, many believe that Paul used parts of early hymns in Php 2:6-11
and 1Ti 3:16.

Purpose

In his first letter Peter feeds Christ's sheep by instructing them how to
deal with persecution from outside the church (see 1Pe 4:12); in this second
letter he teaches them how to deal with false teachers and evildoers who have
come into the church (see 2:1; 3:3-4 and notes). While the particular situations
naturally call for variations in content and emphasis, in both letters Peter
as a pastor ("shepherd") of Christ's sheep (Jn 21:15-17) seeks to commend to
his readers a wholesome combination of Christian faith and practice. More specifically,
his purpose is threefold: (1) to stimulate Christian growth (ch. 1), (2) to
combat false teaching (ch. 2) and (3) to encourage watchfulness in view of
the Lord's certain return (ch. 3).